Lab-on-a-Chip Diagnostic Chip Can Screen Several Diseases and Cost Less Than a Penny

Once in a while, something that’s too good to be true might actually be so, as an exception proving the rule. Here is an example—a lab-on-a-chip for diagnosing cancer, tuberculosis, malaria, et al—that’s a do-it-yourself on an inkjet printer. Quoting: “Each chip consists of a clear silicone chamber that houses a sample of cells for testing and a reusable electronic strip. The electronic strip can be printed onto flexible sheets of polyester using a regular inkjet printer and conductive nanoparticle ink. Users can download different designs for the strip, which let it test for different things. The whole printing process takes just 20 minutes.” MORE